Players from our highly-acclaimed academy were given a special surprise yesterday when they met England manager Gareth Southgate at St George's Park.
The players from our U12s, U13s and U14s teams were being coached by professional footballers as part of the pro's coaching qualifications at England's training base.ÂThree Lions' chief Gareth Southgate watched the sessions taking place before taking time to pose for photographs and chat with our youngsters.
Stags' director Mark Hawkins said: "We've struck up a good relationship with the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) who keep inviting our academy players to take part in these coaching sessions. It helps the pro's in their qualification process and can only benefit our players.
"Our academy lads are not only good players, but also smart and well behaved. It is a real privilege for our players to be coached by some top professionals."Â
Mr Hawkins added: "It's quite special really. To be asked back to England's training base is something the players, our coaches and the whole club is really proud of."
Professionals who coached the youngsters included Aston Villa's Albert Adomah, French footballer Guy Moussi and Kilmarnock forward Nathan Tyson.
